KR20110098959A - Pilot operated water valve - Google Patents

Abstract

Solenoid operated pilot valves provide a mechanical advantage of using the offset pilot opening and lever arm to amplify the open force of the solenoid, thereby reducing the size of the solenoid. The lever arm for positioning the pilot valve member is mechanically positioned through the solenoid driven plunger in one embodiment, and only magnetically in an embodiment without the other plunger. The lever arm pivots about a fixed support point, an inclined pedestal that provides a continuously varying mechanical advantage, or a stepped pedestal that provides other mechanical advantages of discontinuity while the pilot valve member moves from fully closed to fully open. do.

Description

Pilot Operated Water Valve

The present invention relates to a method for adjusting the position of a pilot valve member used for the operation of a main valve member in a pilot operated valve, in particular a pilot operated water valve.

Valves are often used where adjustment of process fluid flow is required. Process fluids include liquids such as oil, fuel, water, and gases such as natural gas and oxygen. Some valves are used to control the amount of fluid passing through and operate in a precisely positioned position of the valve member to meter the amount of fluid passing through the valve. The other valve acts as a switch to allow the fluid to pass through or to stop. Such a valve can be used, for example, in a household appliance such as a washing machine in which water is allowed to flow until a predetermined amount is discharged or for a predetermined time. Such operation adjustment of the valve is generally made by an electronic control circuit, such as a microprocessor-based controller, and an associated drive circuit for opening and closing the valve member in the valve.

The problem of such a switch valve is the force required to open the valve member against the static pressure of the process fluid acting on one side of the valve member. Depending on the construction, this pressure can be quite large compared to the low pressure on the opposite side of the valve member, which is atmospheric pressure, especially in the case of many appliances. In addition to the static pressure of the fluid acting to keep the valve member closed, many switch valves include springs for applying force to the valve member. This elastic force causes the valve to close simultaneously with the interruption of the drive signal, thereby maintaining the reference force on the valve member to keep it in the closed state.

In such a structure, the valve actuator must overcome both hydrostatic and elastic forces, which may vary in size and may be significant in size, which act to keep the valve closed. However, after exceeding these two forces, the pressure difference between both sides of the valve member surface is greatly reduced, which greatly reduces the force required to keep the valve fully open. After these pressures are equal, the actuator only has to face the elastic force.

Many electronically controlled switch valves include electrically operated solenoids that act directly on the plunger connected to the valve member to adjust the valve member to the open state. Unfortunately, due to the large pressure differentials and elastic forces present in the closed valves, relatively large actuators are required to operate the valve normally among all operating conditions and structures. In many industries, such as the home appliance industry, stringent government and certification body standards place emphasis on power consumption. Accordingly, direct acting solenoid operated valves that use large solenoids to reliably open the valve member present a significant disadvantage to home appliance manufacturers in obtaining institutional certifications such as Energy Star appliance ratings. In addition, the home appliance industry is so competitive that the price of such a large solenoid is also a great loss.

To overcome these problems, many manufacturers chose a pilot valve structure that allowed them to use solenoid actuators of significantly reduced size to operate the valve. Pilot operated water valves use a relatively small solenoid to move the plunger to open a small pilot valve with a small pilot opening in the valve portion. This pilot valve causes a small amount of water to flow when opened and opens the diaphragm using the principle of pressure difference and surface area. The diaphragm opens the main valve member to regulate the main flow of the process fluid. In other words, pilot operated valves allow the process fluid pressure to do most of the work in opening and closing the valve.

Therefore, the size of the solenoid can be greatly reduced because only a small pilot valve needs to be opened. As a result, low power consumption and low prices are a big advantage in many industries, such as the home appliance industry. As a result, home appliance manufacturers manufacture millions of pilot operated water valves each year.

While pilot actuated water valves involve a reduction in solenoid size and thus a reduction in cost over direct acting solenoid actuator valves, solenoids still require copper windings to generate magnetic forces to operate the pilot valve actuators. In general, the price of coils containing copper accounts for over 50% of the total valve price. In a competitive industry, just a few cents can lead to mass sales or a drop in sales. Thus, there is a need for a new pilot valve design that reduces material costs by reducing the amount of copper used. However, while reducing the amount of copper, each operation must ensure normal operation and valve life.

Embodiments of the present invention provide pilot operated water valves that reduce material costs while ensuring normal operation and long life. In addition, further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention.

Summary of the Invention

In view of the above, embodiments of the present invention present a new improved pilot operated water valve that solves one or more problems that existed in the prior art. In particular, embodiments of the present invention present a new improved solenoid operated pilot valve that is more compact and consumes less power than conventional pilot operated water valves.

In one embodiment, the small low power pilot operated water valve utilizes a lever arm to actuate the offset pilot valve member. In such an embodiment, the mechanical benefits brought by the lever arm greatly reduce the amount of power required, thereby reducing the size of the solenoid actuating the pilot valve. These lever arms can use one-point or multipoint fulcrum, curved, stepped, or a variety of other supports to more closely match the power available from the solenoid to the power required to open the pilot valve. have.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the plunger mechanically couples the pilot valve lever arm into the process fluid to adjust the position of the pilot valve member. In this embodiment, an elastic force is used to put the plunger at rest, and a magnetic force generated when the solenoid coil is activated to move the plunger for moving the lever arm. In addition to the static pressure acting on the pilot valve member from the process fluid, such magnetic force must also overcome the elastic force that keeps the pilot valve member closed. In one embodiment an elastic force is provided by the coil spring positioned to keep the plunger stationary. In another embodiment, the resilient force is provided by a spring arm formed from the lever arm body.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the lever arm of the pilot valve member is adjusted by the magnetic force of the solenoid coil itself without a plunger or other mechanical connection. In such an embodiment, the lever arm is at least partially ferromagnetic. This embodiment also utilizes an elastic force to keep the pilot valve member in a quiesce state. In this embodiment, since there is no mechanical penetration of the main valve chamber, elastic force is provided by the spring structure in the valve body.

In products where the flow of fluid is very slow, such as ice makers in home appliance refrigeration / freezers, it is possible to provide a valve that acts directly using only the pilot valve structure and its adjustment.

Other aspects, objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, explain the principles of the invention.
1 is a partial cutaway side view of one embodiment of a small low power (CLP) pilot operated water valve according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partial cutaway view of the embodiment of the CLP pilot operated water valve of FIG. 1 with the plunger for positioning the pilot valve member and having a straight through valve body structure; FIG.
3 is a partial cutaway view when the embodiment of the CLP pilot operated water valve of FIG. 2 is in the open state.
4 is a partial cutaway view of the CLP pilot operated water valve of FIG. 2 showing an embodiment of a lever arm for actuation of a pilot valve member.
5 is a bottom view of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a bottom view of another embodiment of a CLP pilot operated water valve operated with a plunger but using a spring loaded lever arm similar to FIG. 2.
FIG. 7 is a partial cutaway view of the pilot valve member in a closed embodiment in another embodiment having a plunger free configuration and a straight through valve body in the CLP pilot operated valve of FIG.
8 is a partial cutaway view when the embodiment of FIG. 7 is in an open state.
9 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 showing one structure of the lever arm.
FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 9 including a spring structure that causes the pilot valve member to be at rest.
11 is a bottom view of another embodiment of the CLP pilot valve of FIG. 7 showing only the main valve chamber body member without a lever arm or spring structure.
12 is a bottom view of an embodiment of a lever arm structure and an embodiment of a spring structure for operating a pilot valve member installed in the embodiment of FIG.
FIG. 13 is a partial cutaway side view showing another embodiment of the CLP valve shown in FIG. 7 in a closed state using a profiled pedestal to adjust the opening force during CLP valve operation. FIG.
14 is a partially cutaway side view of the embodiment of FIG. 13 showing the pilot valve member in an open state.
FIG. 15 is a graph showing the magnetic force and lever force provided by the solenoid with the fixed pedestal together with the force for operating the pilot valve member.
FIG. 16 is a graph showing the magnetic force provided by the inclined pedestal of FIG. 13 together with the force for operating the pilot valve member.
17 is a partial cutaway side view showing another embodiment of a CLP valve using a stepped pedestal in a closed state.
FIG. 18 is a partial cutaway side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 17 in an open state. FIG.
FIG. 19 is a graph showing the magnetic force and lever force provided by the embodiment of the CLP valve shown in FIG. 17 together with the force required to operate the pilot valve member.
20 is a partial cutaway side view of an embodiment of a CLP valve with an internal bypass showing the flow of force and fluid acting on the main valve member when the pilot valve is in the closed state.
FIG. 21 is a partial cut away of the embodiment of the CLP valve of FIG. 20 showing the flow of fluid through the interior passage when the pilot valve member is in an open state and the main fluid flow as the main valve member is opened due to a pressure difference in the process fluid. Side view.
22 is a view of another embodiment of a CLP valve having a 90 degree fluid flow structure.
FIG. 23 is a partial cutaway side view of the embodiment of the CLP valve shown in FIG. 22.
24 is a partial virtual view of the embodiment of the CLP valve shown in FIG. 22.
FIG. 25 is a partial cutaway view of the CLP valve shown in FIG. 22 showing a pilot fluid flow passage using a spin ring body structure.
FIG. 26 is a partial cutaway view of another embodiment of the CLP valve of FIG. 22 using a top hat structure.
FIG. 27 is a partial cutaway view of another embodiment of the CLP valve of FIG. 22 using a frost plug structure.
28 is an exploded view of the CLP valve of FIG. 22 showing separation of the solenoid coil from the body of the CLP valve.
FIG. 29 is a schematic partial cutaway side view of another embodiment of a pilot valve actuation mechanism designed as a direct acting valve for an ice maker for a home appliance such as a coffee maker, refrigerator / freezer, etc. FIG.
The invention will now be described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, but is not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. Rather, the intention is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

1 shows a small low power (CLP) pilot operated water valve 100 according to the present invention. Although the following description describes various embodiments and applications, those skilled in the art will recognize that other embodiments and applications can be designed within the scope of the invention. Naturally, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, while the following description discusses various aspects of the invention through embodiments with one valve for convenience, the means for operating with a pilot valve structure It can be designed as a gang valve structure, for example a mixing-type valve having two or more valve structures together with two or more pilot valve structures for operation. Therefore, the following description is only an example, and does not limit the scope of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the CLP valve 100 utilizes a valve body 102 having an inlet 104 and an outlet 106. Although the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has a valve body 102 in which the inlet 104 and the outlet 106 are at an angle of 90 degrees, other inlets and outlets are possible, as shown in the figures that follow, so that the structure is It should not be taken as a limitation on the scope of the invention.

The CLP valve 100 also includes a solenoid assembly 108 to provide a driving force for controlling the operating state of the CLP valve 100. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the solenoid assembly 108 includes a coil 110 and a magnetic frame structure 112 that will help determine the distribution of magnetic flux when the coil 110 is activated. To use the miniature solenoid assembly 108, the CLP valve 100 utilizes a miniature pilot valve that regulates the flow of a small amount of bypass fluid to adjust the position of the main valve member with the main process fluid.

Characteristic of the CLP valve 100 of the present invention is the means 114 for controlling the pilot valve member. As will be described in detail with reference to a specific embodiment of the present invention below, the means for controlling the pilot valve member 114 includes positioning the pilot valve opening away from the central axis of the solenoid assembly 108. Positioning the central axis of the solenoid assembly 108 away from the pilot valve opening may cause the solenoid assembly 108 to provide sufficient force for the means 114 to move the pilot valve member from the closed state to the open state. The lever arm 116 (see eg FIG. 2) can be used to provide a double or mechanical advantage of the force given by the force. Since the pilot valve uses a high pressure process fluid as the driving energy source for the main valve, the solenoid of the pilot valve according to the conventional direct action design is relatively large and expensive compared to the CLP valve 100. As a result, the CLP valve 100 may reduce power consumption by 50% to 80% while increasing the energy consumption efficiency while having the same performance as the conventional technology.

As will be described in more detail below, the means 114 comprises a plunger 118 (see FIG. 2) for the manipulation of the lever arm 116 in one embodiment, and in another embodiment (see FIG. 7 for example) And a ferromagnetic lever arm 116 ′ that is directly manipulated by magnetic force to adjust the position of the pilot valve member.

Specifically in FIG. 2, the CLP valve 110 ′ using a magnetically actuated plunger 118 mechanically coupled to the lever arm 116 as part of the means 114 for controlling the pilot valve member 120. One embodiment is shown. 2 does not include a coil to better reveal the internal features of solenoid assembly 108.

Specifically, in this embodiment, the coil assembly 108 is positioned surrounding the guide tube 122 formed from the main valve chamber body 142 where the movable plunger is located. This plunger 108 is stationary by the spring 124 when the solenoid coil is not activated. As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment of the CLP valve 100 ′ in the stationary state, the pilot valve member 120 is in contact with or kept close to the pilot valve opening 126, and thus from the main valve chamber 128. Fluid is prevented from flowing to the discharge port 106 through the bypass channel 130. In this state, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the process fluid pressure keeps the main valve member 132 closed to prevent process fluid from flowing from the inlet 104 to the outlet 106. Specifically, the main valve member 132 has a small bleed hole (eg, inside) to increase the pressure when the pilot valve member 120 is closed so that the pressure of the main valve chamber 128 and the inlet are equal. Closed by bleed holes 202 shown in FIG. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art from FIG. 2, the plunger 118 is in contact with the process fluid of the main valve chamber 128. Thus, the material from which the plunger 118 is to be made available must be in contact with the process fluid controlled by this CLP valve 100 '.

After the solenoid assembly 108 is activated, the magnetic force generated by the coil (not shown) moves the plunger 118 upwards to the position shown in FIG. The magnetic force at this time should be sufficient to exceed the elastic force of the spring 124 and the static pressure of the fluid applied to the pilot valve member 120. However, since the means 114 for manipulating the pilot valve member 120 utilizes the lever arm 116 which moves the pedestal 134 axially, the positions of the lever arm 116 and the pedestal 134 are reverse force amplification. (inverse force multiplication), the force itself that must be generated by the solenoid assembly 108 does not have to exceed the fluid static pressure. This allows the CLP valve 100 'to be designed to be much smaller than the required size if no means 114 for adjusting the pilot valve member 120 are used. Thus, smaller coils (not shown) can be used, which can significantly reduce the operating power and, in view of the present and future prices of the copper constituting the lines of the coil.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, after the pilot valve member 120 is moved away from the pilot valve opening 126 through the lever arm 116 axially moving the pedestal 134, the process fluid is bypassed from the pilot valve opening 126. It enters the bypass channel 130 through the pass channel guide member 136 and starts to flow to the discharge port 106. As a result, the fluid pressure on the main valve member 132 in the main valve chamber 128 is reduced. The pressure of the process fluid given from the inlet 104 to the lower side of the main valve chamber 132 causes the main valve member 132 of FIG. 3 to rise to open the CLP valve 100 ′ to open the process fluid from the inlet 104. 106) to flow freely.

When the solenoid coil (not shown) is deactivated, the force by the spring 124 moves the plunger 118 down, and through the lever arm 116 and the pedestal 134, the pilot valve member 120 moves the pilot valve. It is made to close with respect to the opening 126. This is due to the flow of process fluid through the small bleed hole of the main valve member 132 so that the pressure increases so that the pressure in the main valve chamber 128 is equal to the inlet pressure. Increasing the process fluid pressure above) causes the main valve member 128 to move down to close the CLP valve 100 ′ as shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in detail in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lever arm 116 is secured in the main valve chamber 128 as shown in the drawing by the long end of the pedestal 134. The pedestal 134 also includes a small diameter shaft 140 that is fitted to the lever arm 116 and fixed within the main valve chamber body 142. Lever arm guide shoulder pair 138 may also be used to secure lever arm 116 in place. As shown in this embodiment, the lever arm 116 also includes a plunger receiving groove 144 for fitting the necked down portion 146 of the plunger 118. To ensure that the plunger 118 operates the lever arm 116, the plunger 118 also includes a large diameter end flare 148 whose diameter is greater than the width of the plunger receiving groove 144. do. This structure simplifies the design and ensures that the bypass pilot valve portion of the CLP valve 100 'operates normally.

While the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-5 uses a spring 124 to position the plunger 118 in a stationary state, in another embodiment shown in FIG. 6 the spring arm member 150 is part of the lever arm 116 structure. By eliminating the need for spring 124. Specifically, in this embodiment the lever arm 116 is made of spring steel or other resilient material that allows for continuous microdeformation without fatigue stress failure. The spring arm member 150 exerts a force on the main valve chamber body 142 to keep the plunger 118 stationary when the solenoid coil (not shown) is not activated.

When the solenoid coil is activated, the magnetic force acting on the plunger 118 moves the plunger 118 against the force of the spring arm member 150 in the direction into the ground as shown in FIG. When the right end of the lever arm 116 is moved by the plunger 118, the pilot valve member 120 moves in the opposite direction, causing the pedestal arm 152 of the lever arm 116 to be slightly twisted. This pedestal arm 152 is secured to an added pedestal 134 'formed at the outside thereof as part of the main valve chamber body 142.

In another embodiment of the invention, the means 114 for adjusting the pilot valve member 120 does not use a plunger in contact with the process fluid in the main valve chamber 128 but instead generates a solenoid coil as shown in FIG. Magnetic force is used to move the lever arm 116 'which is at least partially ferromagnetic. Since no plunger is required, no guide tube is required to receive the plunger, so that the central spindle portion of the magnetic frame structure 112 can be much smaller, as can be seen, for example, when comparing FIGS. 7 and 2. This allows for much smaller coil designs. In addition, since the magnetic frame structure 112 is not in contact with the process fluid, it is possible to use materials having high magnetic permeability which are more efficient in conducting magnetic flux. Furthermore, since the process fluid and the material do not come into contact with each other, corrosion and contamination problems are greatly reduced, so that it is possible to use inexpensive materials such as low carbon steel, for example, as compared with general magnetic material stainless steel. Without a plunger and a spring to keep the lever arm stationary, this embodiment uses a spring member 154 in the main valve chamber 128 for this function. In other words, when the solenoid coil is deactivated, the spring member 154 holds the lever arm 116 ′ in the position shown in FIG. 7 so that the pilot valve member 120 is in the closed state with respect to the pilot valve opening 126. do.

When the coil of the solenoid assembly 108 is activated, the ferromagnetic portion of the lever arm 116 ′ is attracted to the solenoid assembly 108 in the resulting magnetic field to a fully open position as shown in FIG. 8. The ferromagnetic lever arm 116 moves about a pedestal 134 'formed as part of the main valve chamber body 142 in the embodiment of the figure. When the ferromagnetic lever arm 116 'moves the pedestal 134' axially, the bypass valve through the bypass channel guide member 136 of the process fluid with the pilot valve member 120 away from the pilot valve opening 126. Allowing flow to 130 allows the main process fluid to actuate main valve member 132 to open CLP valve 100 ".

Simultaneously with the deactivation of the solenoid assembly 108 coil, the magnetic field disappears, and the spring member 154 again moves the ferromagnetic lever arm 116 'to a stationary state, piloting the pilot valve member 120 as shown in FIG. To close against the valve opening 126. In this state, an increase in the process fluid pressure in the main valve chamber 128 above the main valve member 132 causes the main valve member 132 to move downward until the CLP valve 100 '' is closed as shown in FIG. Move.

As shown in FIG. 9, the ferromagnetic lever arm 116 ′ in the illustrated embodiment includes a magnet surface 156 that is subjected to a magnetic field generated by the solenoid assembly 108. This magnetic surface 156 does not have to be magnetic in itself, but is made of a ferromagnetic and / or magnetically permeable material that is attracted by a magnetic field such as generated by the coils of the solenoid assembly 108. It is desirable to lose. Of course, the magnetic surface 156 may be the only ferromagnetic portion of the ferromagnetic lever arm 116 ', but it would be convenient for manufacturing that the entire lever arm 116' is made of the same material.

The ferromagnetic lever arm 116 has a magnetic surface 156 so that the magnetic surface 156 abuts against the inner surface of the main valve chamber body 142 when it is forced by the magnetic field of the solenoid assembly 108. And an orientation portion 158 such that the portion of the ferromagnetic lever arm 116 ′ holding the pilot valve member 120 is at an appropriate angle. In the illustrated embodiment, the ferromagnetic lever arm 116 ′ includes a guide arm pair 160 located within a guide post pair 162 coupled to or formed from the main valve chamber body.

As shown in FIG. 10, the spring member 154 is secured to the pedestal pair 134 ′ formed above the guide post 162 via the outer spring arm pair 164. The elastic force is given by the central spring arm 166 at a point near the pilot valve member 120 of the ferromagnetic lever arm 116 ′.

FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of a main valve chamber body 142 that includes a ferromagnetic lever arm 116 ′ and a groove operatively supporting the spring member 154, the embodiment of which is shown in FIG. 12. As can be seen in this other embodiment, the pedestal 134 " is formed with a central protrusion in the groove that receives the ferromagnetic lever arm 116 '. As will be described in more detail below, the shape of this pedestal 134 ″ may result in improved performance and further reduction in the size of the solenoid assembly 108.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 13, the inclined pedestal 134 ″ allows the ferromagnetic lever arm 116 ′ to move from the rest state to a fully open position with the force of the magnetic field generated by the solenoid assembly 108. This provides a moving pivot point that changes force amplification and linear movement speed. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, when the pilot valve member 120 is closed with respect to the pilot valve opening 126 and the ferromagnetic lever arm 116 ′ is at rest, the pivot point 168 has a leverage opening ratio. (leverage opening ratio) is approximately 5: 1. This provides large force amplification and short linear movement to the pilot valve member 120 early in the activation of the solenoid coil. This is a relatively small solenoid coil, which allows the ferromagnetic lever arm 116 ′ to provide sufficient force to exceed (and exceed elasticity) the static closing pressure acting on the pilot valve member 120.

However, after the pilot valve member 120 is opened from the pilot valve opening 126, the force for moving the pilot valve member to the fully open state initially takes less than the force required to open the valve. However, as the ferromagnetic lever arm 116 'gets closer to the solenoid coil, the magnetic force acting on it increases significantly (the magnetic force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance). However, this increased force is not necessary because the force applied after the pilot valve member is opened once is greatly reduced. When using the inclined pedestal 134 '' ', the pivot point 168 is moved to change the leverage opening ratio to approximately 1.5: 1. This reduces the amount of force amplification by the lever arm and increases the linear moving speed from the pilot valve opening 126 of the pilot valve member 120 as shown in FIG. In other words, the inclined pedestal 134 '' 'provides the increased leverage needed at that moment upon initial opening as shown in Figure 13, while the increased movement required at that moment after opening as shown in Figure 14 To provide.

The advantage of such an inclined pedestal 134 '' 'is the implementation of the inclined pedestal 134' '' and a graph of the magnetic force, leverage, and required force for the embodiment of the fixed pivot point pedestal shown in FIG. This can be seen by analyzing the graph of FIG. 16 for an example. Specifically, each graph includes a trace 170 showing the magnetic force received as the ferromagnetic lever arm 116 ′ moves from closed to open (ie, from the far side of the solenoid).

In the embodiment of the fixed point pedestal, as shown by the graph 172, the magnetic force leverage ratio acts on the lever arm 116 'due to the magnetic advantage leverage ratio does not change. It increases as it increases. However, as shown through graph 174, the force required to move pilot valve member 120 actually decreases as it changes from closed to open.

However, as shown in FIG. 16, the leverage provided by the inclined pedestal 134 '' '' does not increase with the magnetic force 170 but instead can be adjusted to provide sufficient force to open the pilot valve member. And can be switched to move a lot with less force when the increased force is not needed.

17-18 are similar principles, but instead of the inclined pedestals shown in Figs. 13 and 14, stepped pedestals 134 " '' are used to provide the resulting step variation in force as shown in Fig.19.

20 and 21 show another embodiment of a CLP valve 100 having a fluid flow design in line with an internal bypass. In the closed state as shown in FIG. 20, the process fluid pressure indicated by the arrow 178 flows through the main valve member 132 to the main valve chamber 128, so that the pressure is a large surface area of the upper surface of the main valve member 132. It acts to make it descend into the closed position as shown in FIG. However, after the pilot valve member is opened by the attraction of the ferromagnetic lever arm 116 ′, the process fluid passes through the bypass channel guide member 136 into the bypass channel 130 in the direction of the arrow 180, and the outlet port. As it flows out of 106, the pressure in the main valve chamber 128 decreases. Since the pressure of the process fluid indicated by the arrow 178 is greater than the pressure reduced from the main valve chamber 128, the main valve member 132 moves upwards so that the process fluid enters the inlet 104 in the direction of the main flow arrow 182. From the discharge port 106.

FIG. 22 shows another embodiment of a CLP valve 100 '' 'having a structure in which the inlet 104 and the outlet 106 are 90 degrees. In such an embodiment, the internal bypass channel 130 must be rotated 90 degrees in order to be connected to the discharge port 106. For manufacturing convenience in this embodiment, the bypass channel lid 184 is used to disconnect the bypass channel 130 from the environment. Bypass channel lid 184 may be spin welded or otherwise bonded to valve body 102.

In this structure, the bypass channel 130 is connected to the bypass channel endpoint 186 shown in FIG. The actual flow from the pilot valve opening 126 to the bypass channel endpoint 186 can be seen through the partial virtual diagram of FIG. 24 or the cutaway view of FIG. 25. As shown in these figures, the process fluid enters the pilot valve opening and flows into the space between the valve body 102 and the main valve chamber body 142. The space is connected to the bypass channel 130, and the discharge port ( 106). This space is closed by the spin ring 190 joined to the valve body 102 and the main valve chamber body 142 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 24 and 25. This joining can be accomplished by spin welding, screwing, or other suitable method. In an embodiment using a screw tightening scheme, the pilot valve body 142 normally includes a coarse thread to provide half-rotating tightening to the main valve body 102. It is desirable to seal the assembly with an "O" ring. This embodiment obviates the need for using a bypass channel guide member as in the embodiment of FIG. 20.

In another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 26, a separate spin ring 190 connects the channel to the bypass channel directly by connecting it directly to the valve body 102 to form a top hat structure main valve chamber 142. The structure is eliminated. As with the spin ring, the coupling of the valve body 102 and the main valve chamber body 142 may be accomplished by spin welding or other suitable method.

The embodiment of FIG. 27 uses a structure similar to the frost plug structure for joining the main valve chamber body 142 and the valve body 102. In this embodiment, the surface to be joined is sealed by ultrasonic welding, glue, or other suitable method. The flow of fluid from the pilot valve opening 126 to the bypass channel 130 occurs at the inner wall of the valve body 102.

This structure allows the main valve chamber body 142 and the coil assembly 108 to be positioned in any 360 degree direction while providing a bypass flow passage between the main valve chamber 128 and the outlet 106. . Regardless of the structure, after the main valve chamber body 142 is secured in the valve body 102, the solenoid assembly 108 is inserted into the solenoid receiving groove 200 to allow the CLP valve 100 ′ of the present invention shown in FIG. 28. Complete the structure of ').

As shown in FIG. 29, the means 114 for adjusting the position of the pilot valve member 120 is a direct acting valve for CLP for low flow products such as coffee makers, ice makers such as home appliances refrigerators / freezers, and the like. It can be used in low flow valve 100 '' '. This structure is shown in FIG. 29, and it is desirable to obtain maximum benefit by using the inclined pedestal 134 '' '.

All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein, are incorporated by reference to the extent that each document is individually and specifically indicated to be a part of this specification and the entire contents thereof are disclosed herein. Be part of it.

The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" in connection with the description of the invention (particularly with respect to the following claims) unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. It should be interpreted to include both singular and plural. The terms "comprising", "having", "including" and "containing" are used without limitation (ie, "including but not limited to" unless stated otherwise). Mean, but are not limited to ". The description of a range of values here is intended to serve as a simple and straightforward way of expressing each individual value within the range, unless otherwise stated, and each distinct value as described herein. It is intended to be part of this specification. All methods described herein may be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary terms provided herein (eg, "such as"), is intended to make the invention clearer and to the extent it is not otherwise claimed. It is not to raise a limitation. Any terminology herein should be construed as indicating absolutely no element as claimed which is absolutely necessary for the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Modifications of these preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, the invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter described in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. In addition, all combinations of the foregoing elements in all possible variations are included in the present invention unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context.

Claims (36)

A valve body having a inlet port, a discharge port, and a main valve chamber formed therebetween, the valve body defining a bypass channel in fluid communication with the discharge port;
A main valve chamber body surrounding the main valve chamber and operatively coupled to the valve body to form a pilot valve opening therein to provide fluid communication between the main valve chamber and the bypass channel;
A main valve member positioned in the main valve chamber to control a main flow of water from the inlet to the outlet, and having at least one bleed hole drilled therein;
A pilot valve member positioned to control the bypass flow of water from the main valve chamber to the discharge port through the pilot valve opening to control the position of the main valve member; And
Pilot valve member control means for providing reverse force amplification to adjust the position of the pilot valve member using a lever arm;
Pilot operated water valve. The method of claim 1,
A solenoid assembly in which the pilot valve member control means has a coil wound around a magnetic frame structure surrounding the guide tube formed by the main valve chamber body and one end of which is open to the main valve chamber; A plunger movably positioned in the guide tube and extending to the main valve chamber and coupled to the first end of the lever arm opposite the second end to which the pilot valve member is coupled; And a spring movably coupled to the lever arm to provide an elastic force and a pedestal pivotally coupled to a position closer to the second end in the longitudinal direction of the lever arm. The method of claim 2,
Said spring acting on said plunger to extend said plunger to said main valve chamber in a stationary position such that said pilot valve member is positioned to prevent flow of water through said bypass channel. The method of claim 3, wherein
And the spring is positioned at the closed end of the guide tube to provide an elastic force to the first end of the plunger in the guide tube. The method of claim 4, wherein
The pedestal includes a shaft portion extending into the opening of the lever arm and fixed to the main valve chamber body and a large diameter portion located at the shaft end portion of the lever arm pivoted. valve. 6. The method of claim 5,
And said lever valve guide shoulder pair positioned relative to said lever arm to assist said main valve chamber body to pivot pivot to said pedestal. The method of claim 3, wherein
And a spring formed as a part of the first end of the lever arm, the spring arm member pair providing elastic force to the second end of the plunger extending out of the guide tube and extending into the main valve chamber. Pilot operated water valve. The method of claim 7, wherein
Said pedestal consisting of a pedestal pair positioned on both sides of said lever arm, said lever arm comprising a pedestal arm pair attached to said pedestal pair. The method of claim 3, wherein
And when the coil is activated, draws the plunger into the guide tube against the spring force of the spring to position the pilot valve member to allow water to flow through the pilot valve opening into the bypass channel. The pilot operated water valve. The method of claim 1,
A solenoid assembly in which the pilot valve member control means is mounted on the wall of the main valve chamber body away from the main valve chamber outside the main valve chamber and has a coil wound around a magnetic frame structure;
Operatively coupled to the lever arm located in the main valve chamber and operatively coupled to the lever arm to provide an elastic force such that the first end of the lever arm is opposite the second end to which the pilot valve member is coupled. A spring that positions the pilot valve member to prevent flow of water through the pilot valve opening by dropping from the wall on which the solenoid assembly is stationary; And
A pedestal for pivotally positioning the lever arm at a position closer to the second end in the longitudinal direction of the lever arm;
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The rare arm portion near the first end is at least partially ferromagnetic and a magnetic field is formed by the activation of the coil so that the lever arm pivots around the pedestal so that the first end of the lever arm moves towards the wall. And said pilot valve member is separated from said pilot valve opening to permit flow of water to said bypass channel. The method of claim 10,
Said lever arm having a magnetic surface at said first end position spaced by an orientation portion away from said second end, said orientation portion having said second end when said magnetic surface is parallel to said wall; And the first end is positioned at an acute angle with the wall when the first end is parallel to the wall. The method of claim 10,
And said pedestal has a pedestal pair on both sides of said lever arm, and said lever arm has a guide arm pair fixed by said pedestal pair. The method of claim 12,
The spring includes a substantially flat spring member having a pair of outer spring arms coupled to the pedestal pair and a center spring arm extending in the center of the pair of outer spring arms to apply a force to a second end of the lever arm. The pilot operated water valve. The method of claim 10,
And said pedestal is formed in said main valve chamber body. The method of claim 14,
And the pedestal is a profiled pedestal that provides a pivot point that varies with the lever arm when the lever arm is attracted by a magnetic field generated when the coil is activated. 16. The method of claim 15,
And said pivotally actuated pedestal moves said pivot point along said lever arm away from said second end when said first end pivots toward said wall. 17. The method of claim 16,
The inclined pedestal and the lever arm provide increased leverage at the beginning of opening of the pilot valve member, allowing flow to the pilot valve opening and providing increased movement of the second end relative to the first end. And said pilot operated water valve. The method of claim 14,
Wherein said pedestal is an inclined pedestal that provides a variable leverage opening ratio when said lever arm pivots said inclined pedestal to an axis. 19. The method of claim 18,
And said lever opening ratio is approximately 5 to 1 at rest. The method of claim 19,
And said leverage opening ratio when the first end pivots toward said wall is approximately 1.5 to 1. The method of claim 14,
The pedestal provides another discrete pivot point to the lever arm when the lever arm is attracted by a magnetic field generated when the coil is activated to change the leverage aperture ratio to a discrete amount. And said pilot operated water valve. The method of claim 1,
And said bypass channel guide member parallel to a common axis of said inlet and said outlet, and connecting said pilot valve opening and said bypass channel. The method of claim 1,
The inlet is perpendicular to the axis of the outlet, and the main valve chamber body forms a channel between the valve body and an outer wall of the main valve chamber body to allow fluid communication between the pilot valve opening and the bypass channel. The pilot operated water valve. 24. The method of claim 23,
The bypass channel comprises a first portion parallel to the axis of the outlet and a second portion perpendicular to the axis of the outlet and in fluid communication with the first portion and the outlet, disconnecting the bypass channel from an external environment And the bypass channel lid to cause the pilot operated water valve. The method of claim 1,
The inlet is perpendicular to the axis of the outlet, the main valve chamber body forms a channel between the valve body and an outer wall of the main valve chamber body to perform fluid communication between the pilot valve opening and the bypass channel, And the channel is disconnected from the external environment by a spin ring coupled to the valve body and the main valve chamber body. The method of claim 10,
Said pilot valve body having a solenoid receiving groove for receiving said solenoid assembly on its outer surface. A valve body comprising a main valve chamber partitioned into an inlet, an outlet, and a space therebetween;
A valve member positioned to control the flow of water from the main valve chamber to the discharge port; And
Valve member control means for using a lever arm to provide reverse force amplification to position the valve member;
A solenoid assembly having said valve member control means mounted to a wall of said valve body outside said main valve chamber from said main valve chamber and having a coil wound around a magnetic frame structure; The solenoid located in the main valve chamber operatively coupled to the lever arm located in the main valve chamber to provide an elastic force such that the first end of the lever arm opposite the second end to which the valve member is coupled A spring positioned away from the wall on which the assembly is stationary, to position the valve member to prevent the flow of water to the outlet; And a pedestal that is at least partially ferromagnetic near the first end and pivotally receives the lever arm at a point located close to the second end in the longitudinal direction of the lever arm. It includes;
Activation of the coil creates a magnetic field such that the lever arm pivots about the pedestal so that the first end of the lever arm moves towards the wall to position the valve member to allow flow of water to the valve body;
The pedestal is a profiled pedestal that provides a pivot point that changes when the lever arm is attracted by a magnetic field generated when the coil is activated, the inclined pedestal wherein the first end pivots toward the wall. And move the pivot point away from the second end along the lever arm when the pivot point is moved. A valve body having a main valve chamber partitioned into an inlet and an outlet and a space therebetween, the valve body further partitioning a bypass channel in fluid communication with the outlet;
A main valve chamber body operably coupled to the valve body to seal the main valve chamber, the main valve chamber body forming a pilot valve opening therein to provide fluid communication between the main valve chamber and the bypass channel;
A main valve member located in the main valve chamber and configured to control a main flow of water from the inlet to the outlet;
A pilot valve member positioned to adjust a position of the main valve member by controlling a bypass flow of water flowing from the main valve chamber through the pilot valve opening to the discharge port;
A lever arm having a first end and a second end, wherein at least one portion of the first end is ferromagnetic and the second end is coupled to the pilot valve member;
A pedestal for pivotally receiving the lever arm at a point located close to the second end in the longitudinal direction of the lever arm;
A solenoid assembly mounted on a wall of the valve body away from the main valve chamber outside the main valve chamber and having a coil wound around a magnetic frame structure; And
Operatively coupled to the lever arm located in the main valve chamber and operatively coupled to the lever arm to provide an elastic force to the lever arm such that the first end is dropped from a wall on which the solenoid assembly is stationary. And a spring for positioning the pilot valve member to prevent the flow of water through the pilot valve opening.
The magnetic field is formed by the activation of the coil so that the lever arm pivots about the pedestal so that the first end of the lever arm moves towards the wall to position the pilot valve member away from the pilot valve opening to establish the bypass channel. A pilot operated water valve, characterized in that for opening the main valve member to allow the flow of water through. The method of claim 28,
The lever arm having a magnetic surface at a first end spaced by the directing portion from the second end, the directing portion positioned such that the second end is acutely dropped from the wall when the magnetic surface is parallel to the wall; And the first end is positioned at an acute angle with the wall when one end is parallel to the wall. The method of claim 28,
And said pedestal has a pedestal pair on both sides of said lever arm, and said lever arm has a guide arm pair fixed by said pedestal pair. The method of claim 30,
The spring includes a substantially flat spring member having a pair of outer spring arms coupled to the pedestal pair and a center spring arm extending in the center of the pair of outer spring arms to apply a force to a second end of the lever arm. The pilot operated water valve. The method of claim 28,
The pedestal provides a pivot point that varies when the lever arm is attracted by the magnetic field generated when the coil is activated, so that when the lever arm is pivoted about the tilted pedestal, the leverage opening ratio is approximately 5 at rest. Said pilot actuated water valve being one to one, said sloped pedestal providing a variable leverage aperture ratio such that the leverage aperture ratio when said first end is pivoted into said wall is approximately 1.5 to one. The method of claim 28,
The pedestal is a stepped pedestal that provides another discontinuous pivot point to the lever arm when the lever arm is attracted by a magnetic field generated when the coil is activated to change the leverage aperture ratio to a discrete amount. Said pilot operated water valve. The method of claim 28,
The inlet is perpendicular to the axis of the outlet, and the main valve chamber body forms a channel between the valve body and an outer wall of the main valve chamber body to fluidly communicate between the pilot valve opening and the bypass channel. Said pilot operated water valve. The method of claim 28,
The inlet is perpendicular to the axis of the outlet, the main valve chamber body forms a channel between the valve body and an outer wall of the main valve chamber body in fluid communication between the pilot valve opening and the bypass channel; Said pilot operated water valve being disconnected from the external environment by a spin ring coupled to said valve body and said main valve chamber body. The method of claim 28,
Said pilot valve body having a solenoid receiving groove for receiving said solenoid assembly on its outer surface.

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